 |
| Bougainvillea summer time |
Q.
While most of our bougainvillea are in large pots which we bring indoors for
the winter, this year we planted one in an above ground planter built around
the Jacuzzi. What should I do to help it survive the winter without having to
dig it up and transplant it again in the spring?
While most of our bougainvillea are in large pots which we bring indoors for
the winter, this year we planted one in an above ground planter built around
the Jacuzzi. What should I do to help it survive the winter without having to
dig it up and transplant it again in the spring?
A. Your
bougainvillea will have a better chance of surviving the winter planted in the
ground than it will planted in a container. However, expect it to be damaged this
winter unless you are willing to apply heat to the area where it is planted and
cover the plant all the way to the ground.
bougainvillea will have a better chance of surviving the winter planted in the
ground than it will planted in a container. However, expect it to be damaged this
winter unless you are willing to apply heat to the area where it is planted and
cover the plant all the way to the ground.
 |
| Bougainvillea that has frozen back during winter |
If
left unprotected, your bougainvillea will freeze to the ground as soon as
temperatures drop below freezing. If temperatures dip quickly below freezing
and rise above freezing in a short period of time, damage will be light. If
temperatures dip below freezing and stay there for a while, the entire top of
the plant above ground is likely to freeze and die.
left unprotected, your bougainvillea will freeze to the ground as soon as
temperatures drop below freezing. If temperatures dip quickly below freezing
and rise above freezing in a short period of time, damage will be light. If
temperatures dip below freezing and stay there for a while, the entire top of
the plant above ground is likely to freeze and die.
The
death of the top of the plant is not necessarily a big problem. The dead parts
can be pruned back close to the ground and encouraged to regrow in the spring. My
major concern is protecting the base of the bougainvillea, near the soil, so it
can regrow.
death of the top of the plant is not necessarily a big problem. The dead parts
can be pruned back close to the ground and encouraged to regrow in the spring. My
major concern is protecting the base of the bougainvillea, near the soil, so it
can regrow.
Some
inexpensive insurance is to pile several inches of mulch around the base of the
plant just before it freezes. This wood mulch acts as an insulator which
protects wood at the base of the plant from dying. Of course if temperatures
get unusually cold for long periods, it is possible to lose the entire plant.
But in most winters this will not happen if mulch is used.
inexpensive insurance is to pile several inches of mulch around the base of the
plant just before it freezes. This wood mulch acts as an insulator which
protects wood at the base of the plant from dying. Of course if temperatures
get unusually cold for long periods, it is possible to lose the entire plant.
But in most winters this will not happen if mulch is used.
In
mid-March prune out any damaged plant parts back to healthy wood. Fertilize the
plant with a high nitrogen fertilizer and water deeply. After it has re-grown
significantly, apply a phosphorus fertilizer either to the soil or spray and
liquid on to the foliage.
mid-March prune out any damaged plant parts back to healthy wood. Fertilize the
plant with a high nitrogen fertilizer and water deeply. After it has re-grown
significantly, apply a phosphorus fertilizer either to the soil or spray and
liquid on to the foliage.